October 23, 2013 by Tina Williams

Another free promo!

Erica Dakin’s first novel, The Ritual, is FREE for Kindle for the next day ot two. For adults only it is a mixture of romance, fantasy and adventure. Why not grab yourself a copy? Tina 🙂

Theft and Sorcery

Yes, your eyes do not deceive you! My first novel, The Ritual, will be absolutely FREE for Kindle today and tomorrow. It is an equal blend of romance, fantasy and adventure, with a good dollop of spice to keep your blood up. To grab yourself a copy, follow your country-appropriate link below. Adults only! Re-blogging much appreciated.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AYYVT1G/ (United States)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AYYVT1G/ (Great Britain)

http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00AYYVT1G/ (Canada)

It will be free on most other Amazon sites as well, but I didn’t want to overload everyone with twenty-five links.

Need an incentive? Here are some excerpts from the various reviews I’ve had on both Goodreads and Amazon:

“The build-up of the relationship between Rin and Zash is tangible, palpable, to the point that I held my breath when they were on that knife-edge point of succumbing to desire.”

“I read the book in two sittings – I just had to know what happened.”

View original post 123 more words

October 22, 2013 by Tina Williams

K-Girls, #1 in the Kylemore Abbey Series, by Lydia Little

A Spirited Tale of Irish Boarding School Escapades

Pre-Teen to Adult Readers

Readers of all ages who relish tales of high jinks and adventure with a paranormal twist will enjoy K-Girls. The read will be particularly nostalgic for those such as me who spent their youth in the 1980’s and enjoyed reading Enid Blyton’s St Clare’s and Malory Towers series. It is many a girls dream to attend boarding school away from the confines of home life, forging new friendships and experiencing exciting escapades and this book does not disappoint in bringing these dreams alive.

K-Girls is the first book in the Kylemore Abbey Series, by author Lydia Little, who was herself once a pupil of the school (scroll down for her bio). It has been released in both digital format and paperback. In K-Girls Alice Stone persuades her parents to send her to boarding school, wanting to have the adventures she always dreamed about and at the same time reinvent herself. She is drawn to the beauty and splendour of Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, a convent school for girls, housed in a former castle. Alice enters the school as a somewhat nervous first year, nevertheless determined to make her mark and enjoy her life there to the full.

Soon after she arrives she encounters Ruth, the ghost of a former pupil, who died at the school in the 1920’s and whose body resides in the cemetery. Alice has never seen a ghost before, let alone held a conversation with one! For her part Ruth has had a lonely existence since becoming a ghost, being able to observe the comings and goings at Kylemore, to which she is tied, but never having communicated with a soul, living or dead. Alice keeps Ruth and her ability to see and communicate with her a secret from her new friends, Gale and Bessie, and others at Kylemore, lest they think she is losing her mind.

As a first year Alice and her friends are viewed as the newbies by the other girls, especially the seniors and Alice cannot resist embroiling herself in some daring escapades as she strives to prove her worth in challenges set by the older girls. Her success in these ventures is threatened by some enemies she inadvertently makes and she has to rely on Ruth’s assistance and her own cunning and tenacity to succeed, often against all odds.

I enjoyed the two main characters of Ruth and Alice and the friendship and mysrerious bond they formed. Alice is a spunky, confident and likeable heroine, wanting to make her mark and do right by others. She is desperate to prove that she can succeed in the tasks she is set and at the same time not wanting to offend Dame Mary, who runs the school, with her exploits. Ruth is desperate for a friend, having been on her own for so long and sometimes Alice, who doesn’t want her ability to communicate with Ruth to jeopardise her budding friendships with other girls, is a little unfeeling with some of the things she says to her, although she does feel guilty afterwards. I really felt for Ruth as she cannot recall the circumstances around her death and cannot comprehend why she has not passed over. I was interested to learn about her story as her memories start to resurface. Ruth has a strong sense of what is right and wrong, sometimes at odds with more modern sensibilities.

The novel is set in the 1980’s and there are many references to the popular culture of the time. It is clear that the author is familiar with this time period as well as the minutiae of school life at the school she attended and its history. I enjoyed the descriptions of the school and its grounds and the escapades of the girls! There are many humorous scenes, such as Alice talking to Ruth and being overheard talking to herself by others and other scenes where certain characters get their comeuppance.

There are many other characters in the novel, comprising Alice’s friends, Gale and Bessie and other characters comprising older girls and teachers, some of whom do not have Alice’s interests at heart. The novel also deals sensitively with the usual issues of the making and breaking of friendships and making up, their emotions being perhaps more acute than normal as the girls are away from home and in a secluded environment. Some of the characters are not all what they first seem and there are a number of plot twists, including a major one at the end, which I did not expect. I will be very interested to find out where the author takes the tale in the next instalment!

I recommend this novel to readers of all ages who like tales of adventure and mystery with paranormal elements, but which also explore the trials and tribulations of pre-teen and teenage girls in their formative years.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of this book was provided by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

https://www.facebook.com/LydiaLittleKGirl

http://www.kylemoreabbeytourism.ie/

Author Bio: Lydia Little grew up in Kinsale, Co. Cork. Convincing her parents to send her to boarding school, Lydia attended secondary school in Kylemore Abbey School for girls in Connemara from the ages of 12 to 18. Having kept diaries throughout, she still enjoys putting pen to paper, only now her journals are full of plots, scribbles, quotes and new characters, all shouting for inclusion in her new books.

After a stint of sailing, living in the UK and a short life as a hotelier, Lydia has returned to West Cork, where she now lives with her husband, 3 children, 3 dogs and a mad eyed cat named Bowie.

K-Girls is her first novel.

Here are the links to the book on Amazon UK Amazon US

October 16, 2013 by Tina Williams

Gem of Gravane, #1 in The Northern Knights Series, by Amber Dane

Love and Passion amidst Treachery and Betrayal

Sensual Medieval Romance

I have been planning to read an Amber Dane novel for some time now and sincerely wish that I had not waited quite so long! I adore historical romances, especially those set in the medieval period and I am pleased to say that I have now found another great author to fulfil my fantasies of alpha knights in shining (or even tarnished) armour and sensual tales of how they find their heart’s desire in the midst of such violent and turbulent times. This book is the first in her Northern Knights series, of which book 2, Conquering the Dark Axe and book 3, The Beast of Renald, have already been published as well as other works.

In Gem of Gravane, Knight Aric Claydon is honoured by William the Conqueror, his King and lord, who gifts him, amongst other demesnes, Gravane and the hand in marriage of its lady Danielle, a conquered Saxon. However, this fierce and battle hardened warrior, whose heart pays homage to no woman, delays claiming this particular prize and its lady for a year.

Lady Danielle welcomes her new lord and husband to her home with mixed feelings. Held in contempt by the men in her life – first her father and then her odious cousin Thomas, her guardian, she lacks confidence and is highly conscious of a slight affliction she has. She is disappointed when Aric’s initial reaction to her is less than enthusiastic, confirming her fears that he has avoided the union as he has been made aware of her lack of worth. She still harbours a secret hope however, that although Aric is not happy to take her as his bride, his overlordship of Gravane will put many wrongs to right that have been inflicted on her people.

Aric is far from immediately enamoured with Danielle, but will do his duty and will endeavour to beget an heir. He knows that something is badly wrong at Gravane and is determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. As soon as the marriage takes place, Aric finds that he is more and more drawn to Danielle, attracted to her soft curves, her kindness to others and even her quirks and he seeks to protect her from any perceived dangers. It also becomes clear that his bride is stronger than he thinks and that she harbours secrets. The more he finds out about her, the more he realises that there is more to her than he first thought. Unused to and uncomfortable with such feelings Aric strives to keep his distance, except in the bedroom, where he is gentle and attentive.

The presence of Thomas and his sister Rose and the appearance of characters from Aric’s past do little to alleviate Danielle’s fears and she despairs that Alric will ever return her growing love for him. At the same time danger threatens both Aric and his lady. As we find out if Danielle will succeed in persuading this powerful warrior to take a chance on love, the unfolding tale is laid out like a sumptuous medieval feast. It is brimming with treachery and violence, as well as humour, passion and numerous sensual scenes. I found it a compulsive read!

I loved the character of Aric, a proud and powerful warrior. He is protective of Danielle from the off and against his better judgement he cannot keep his emotional distance from her. I also revelled in how Danielle grew in confidence and stature as she was able to assume her rightful role as lady under Aric’s protection, even as she struggled with what she believes is unrequited love.

The author’s portrayal of supporting characters were a delight to behold. Aric’s second-in-command Balwain and Danielle’s maid Edie deserve special mention as do the not so savoury characters of Thomas and Rose. We are also introduced to the knight Rourke, the Dark Axe, the hero of the next novel in the series, Conquering the Dark Axe.

I recommend Gem of Gravane to readers of historical romance, especially medieval romance, who enjoy a romantic and sensual tale, with engaging characters, which does not shy away from depicting the violence and the treachery that was commonplace at the time.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Cover art: LDF Design

Author Amber Dane’s Blog

Gem of Gravane on Goodreads

October 8, 2013 by Tina Williams

Still Time to Enter Our Giveaway of My Brother, My Rival!

Enter before midnight GMT 9th October 2013 for a chance to win digital books of Eve Rabi’s Amazon bestseller My Brother, My Rival. Contest is open internationally and the books have kindly been made available by the author. The tale, which I reviewed a few days ago, is a super hot read when two brothers fall for the same woman. There are FIVE copies of book 1, All Out of Love and FIVE copies of book 2, How Can I Not Love You? up for grabs. A digital copy of each book will go to the first 5 lucky readers, picked at random, who leave their name in the comments section of this post by midnight GMT, 9th October 2013.

Good luck to all entrants in the forthcoming draw!

The giveaway is now closed and the winners were Jenny Jerman and Bev Walkling. Many thanks to those who entered and to the author Eve Rabi for donating the e-books for the giveaway.

Tina 🙂

October 8, 2013 by Tina Williams

Bella’s Betrothal, by Anne Stenhouse

Delightfully Engaging Sweet Regency Romance

Fans of Regency Romance are well advised to grab hold of Anne Stenhouse’s recent release, Bella’s Betrothal, an exciting and engrossing read, which gripped me from the first page. It contains murder, attempted kidnap and evil intent, family secrets, malicious gossip and mayhem, plus much wit and humour and engaging characters, not least the hero and heroine, whose sweet romance is at the heart of the plot.

In Regency Britain reputation is everything, no more so than amongst the Ton. So when Lady Isabella Wormsley, finds herself in a situation where she is the focus of gossip and innuendo most foul she is sent in disgrace to her aunt and uncle’s house in Edinburgh. En route her room at an inn is invaded by handsome Scottish Laird, Charles Lindsay, in a deliciously action packed and sexually charged scene. Charles has uncovered a plot to kidnap her by a rogue called Direlton, but Bella starts to wonders if Charles may be a more dangerous threat, at least to her heart.

Charles is a friend and neighbour of her Aunt Hatty Menzies and a regular visitor. Exiled by her unfeeling mama, Bella hopes the delivery of her young cousin’s baby will prove her own innocence. However, Bella’s presence disrupts the lives of everyone connected to her. Direlton makes another kidnap attempt and Charles comes to her rescue and is compromised. Only a betrothal will save his business and Bella’s reputation. Will the growing but unacknowledged love between Bella and her Scottish architect survive the evil machinations of Direlton and the scandal mongers?

I found the characters of Bella and Charles to be believable. Not only are they were well matched as a couple, but they are also interesting characters in their own right. Although Charles is a Laird, he is no lazy aristocrat. His work as an architect, gives him an outlet for his creativity. Bella is outspoken and headstrong, yet responsible and keen to protect those around her from damaging their own reputation by associating with her. Charles, recognising how his own reputation could be harmed initially resolves to have little to do with her. However, his conviction does not last long as he is wildly attracted to her and he cannot stop thinking about her. Moreover his strong sense of fair play and honour, not to mention his friendship with the Menzies, leaves him honour bound to help ease Bella into Edinburgh society. This of course means more contact with Bella, which only feeds their mutual attraction.

I liked the fact that Charles was very willing to protect Bella’s honour at all costs, not just against the gossips but also against those who wish her physical harm. There are many touching scenes between the couple as they grapple with their own feelings, whilst at the same time hiding their growing love from each other. Although a sweet romance the reader can certainly sense the passion the couple have for each other simmering below the surface in a number of heated scenes! Bella fears that Charles has only agreed to marry her to protect his business and Charles has his own insecurities to contend with, not least a meddling mama and a past in which he was betrayed by a woman. The villain Direlton and his cronies are ever present throughout the tale, adding considerable tension and danger to the plot.

The supporting characters were delightfully well drawn. I particularly liked how the author portrayed many of the women in the novel, especially Bella’s aunt and Charles’ mama and how Bella’s appearance and subsequent betrothal affected their friendship. Lackie, Charles’ man, helps keep Charles’ temper in check on numerous occasions and provided additional humour. The villain Direlton was credible and well motivated in his evil intent.

The author’s knowledge of the history, geography and architecture of the city of Edinburgh shines through in this novel. I found myself easily transported Regency Edinburgh and into the scenes that she painted with her words. The dialogue too was well crafted and sparkled throughout and this undoubtedly reflects the author’s experience as a playwright.

I recommend this novel to lovers of historical romance, especially Regency Romance. I enjoyed this book, which was a fast paced, entertaining and often humorous read, with characters I very quickly came to care about. I would definitely read more by this author and have put her previous novel, Mariah’s Marriage, on my reading list.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of Bella’s Betrothal was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

Released on September 20, 2013

Cover designer Charlotte Volnek

Publisher, MuseItUp Publishing website

Click here for Anne Stenhouse’s Author Blog

Click for Anne’s Facebook page

About the Author

ANNE STENHOUSE has always loved words. Reading them and using them greedily, she can’t truly remember a time when she couldn’t escape into the pages of a book and certainly can’t remember when she couldn’t talk and ask questions. Anne is a published and performed playwright. She studied both English and History at University in Edinburgh, and finds it a great joy to combine these two disciplines in her first novel, Mariah’s Marriage. Being a playwright means Anne loves dialogue and knows a piece is going well when she ‘begins to hear the characters talking to each other’. She has been a civil servant, full-time Mum and, for a while, a worker in an Addictions’ rehabilitation unit. Anne lives in Scotland with her husband and dancing partner of over thirty years. Their children and a grandchild are close by.

Author’s Other Works:

Love to Death, a one act play, New Theatre Publications

Mariah’s Marriage

October 1, 2013 by Tina Williams

International Giveaway of My Brother, My Rival, by Eve Rabi!

Eve Rabi Giveaway to Readers of this Blog! Enter by 9th October 2013

Author Eve Rabi is offering TEN digital books of her Amazon bestseller My Brother, My Rival, to readers of this blog in an international giveaway.The tale, which I reviewed a few days ago, is an awesome read examining the tensions between romantic and familial love when two brothers fall for the same woman. As usual, this is no straightforward romance and the author will have you laughing one minute and crying the next! Warning – contains sex scenes, violence, racial themes and coarse language.

There are FIVE copies of book 1, All Out of Love and FIVE copies of book 2, How Can I Not Love You? up for grabs. A digital copy of each book will go to the first 5 lucky readers, picked at random, who leave their name in the comments section of this post by midnight GMT, 9th October 2013.

Many thanks to Eve for making this giveaway possible and good luck to all who enter!

Tina 🙂

For areadersreviewblog review of My Brother, My Rival, click on the title.

The giveaway is now closed and the winners were Jenny Jerman and Bev Walkling. Many thanks to those who entered and to the author Eve Rabi for donating the e-books for the giveaway.

September 30, 2013 by Tina Williams

To Steal a Highlander’s Heart, by Samantha Holt – Released Today!

Faerie Magic Reunites Friends as Lovers!

Sensual Historical Paranormal Romance

This is Samantha Holt’s first foray into writing a Highland romance and I found it to be both a fun and romantic read. It also maintains the level of sensuality that I have come to expect and love from this author. Setting a medieval historical romance in the Highlands is an inspired choice to invoke beings such as faeries, and the central captor/captive theme, which in this novel is paired with the theme of friends to lovers, is one which never fails to please me!

In To Steal a Highlander’s Heart, the teenager Alana Campbell is shocked when her childhood friend Morgann McRae is banished for stealing from her father, the laird, leading to a bitter feud between both clans. Eight years pass, until Morgann kidnaps Alana in a desperate attempt to reveal some truths and compel others to stop he treachery which he knows is afoot, which risks the wellbeing of those he cares about and the future of his clan. However, what was a close childhood friendship now heats up into something far stronger as passion is ignited between the couple. Alana resolves to resist her attraction towards Morgann and to escape to prevent bloodshed. Similarly Morgann strives to ignore his instinct to claim Alana as his own and risk the further wrath of her father on his clan.

The plot is further complicated by the actions of a meddling faerie, Tèile, who is tasked to do all she can to ensure that this stubborn couple recognise their love for each other and marry. However, the actions of another threaten the couple’s welfare and means that she must work hard to ensure that she completes her task before it is too late.

The couple are well matched and believable. Alana is a feisty heroine who has missed her friend Morgann since his banishment. She immediately senses that he is not the fun loving boy he once was. Instead he has grown into a handsome and brooding warrior, to which she finds herself increasingly drawn. Morgann notices that Alana is now a beautiful woman, far more confident than the young girl he remembers, one that can well match him in intelligence, charm and wit. The repartee between the couple sparkles as they spar with and tease each other in some fun and sexy scenes. Of course, Tèile engineers things as best she can to give them every opportunity to explore their attraction in some humorous and inventive scenarios, which often leave the couple a little confused with events, which I found to be a nice touch!

Tèile is a great character. Whilst being frustrated at the stubbornness of the couple in acting upon the love and passion they undoubtedly have for one another, and wishing to return to the world of the fey, she develops genuine affection for them and pulls out all stops to come to their aid when it counts.

In addition to the fairy Tèile, the secondary characters include Morgann’s stepmother Margot and Finn, his cousin, another male hottie – what is it with these Highland warriors and where are they hiding? I was immediately drawn into the tale that involves a great deal of sexual tension and passion between the main couple, which culminates in some sensuous and playful lovemaking scenes. There is also plenty of action, danger and treachery before the plot concludes.

I recommend this novel to romance readers who like a romantic read set in the Highlands, particularly those who enjoy a touch of paranormal injected into the story. I am looking forward to any further novels Samantha Holt sets in the Highlands and finding out more about the world of the sidhe and any other magical creatures she decides to call upon.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

An Advanced Reader Copy of this novel was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Check out To Steal a Highlander’s Heart on Amazon and find Samantha online and click on her blogspot for a great release day giveaway!

Buy on Amazon UK Amazon US

https://www.facebook.com/romanticfiction

http://www.samanthaholt.org.uk/

http://www.samanthaholtauthor.blogspot.co.uk/ – click for giveaway

September 26, 2013 by Tina Williams

Last Few Days to Enter our International Giveaway – Enter by Midnight GMT, 27th September 2013!

Calling All Fans of Dark Vampire Romance, Horror and Suspense

Author Naima Haviland has kindly agreed to provide a digital copy of both Bloodroom and The Bad Death to one lucky reader of our blog. The winner will be drawn at random from those submitting their name to the comments section at the bottom of our recent review of The Bad Death (click on the title for the review). If you prefer you can register your interest instead by adding your name to the comments section of this post.

There is still time to add your name to the list if you would like a chance to win digital copies of these two books in her vampire trilogy. A name will be drawn at random after the closing date and time of midnight GMT, 27th September 2013.

Both books are great gothic inspired reads and the hero Julian is one of my favourite fictional heroes!

THE COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED AND THE LUCKY WINNER WAS DAN FUGATE. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!

Tina 🙂

For my review of Bloodroom click on the title.

September 25, 2013 by Tina Williams

My Brother, My Rival – All out of love (book 1) and My Brother, My Rival – How can I not love you? (Book 2, by Eve Rabi

Torn Between Two Brothers!

Warning – contains sex scenes, violence, racial themes and coarse language.

My Brother, My Rival, comprising two books, is a modern day love story with larger than life, no holds barred characters and plot lines, told in the author Eve Rabi’s indomitable style. Both the reader and the characters are put through their paces in an emotional boot camp, examining the tensions between romantic love and familial love when two brothers fall for the same woman. It is yet another addictive read!

In My Brother My Rival, Bridie, a young woman meets the man of her dreams, a charming and handsome man called Scott, who serves in the military. Cupid seems to be smiling as Bridie and Scott go on a date and are equally smitten. However, afterwards, to Bridie’s disappointment, he does not call. Our heroine then catches the eye of a cheeky bad boy, Cody, a love’em and leave’em type, who frequents the bar where she works. Cody won’t take no for an answer and Bridie agrees to date him, resolving to guard her heart. However, it’s not long before both fall for each other. Imagine Bridie’s (not to mention everyone else’s) surprise when on her first visit to Cody’s parents, it transpires that Cody’s brother is none other than Scott, the man she met at the bar. Scott had big plans to marry Bridie and did not return her call as he had been sent abroad on a mission and could not get a signal on his cell phone.

The tale that transpires is a fast paced, roller coaster ride containing humour, heartbreak, fun times, sad times, jealousy, deception, misunderstandings and violence, but also a heavy dose of romance and passion, before the tale resolves itself. The story is told in a plot which will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. How will this complex love triangle resolve itself? Who will Bridie choose? Will it be the right choice? How will the brothers and their family react as Bridie has come between the brothers? Will the war in Iraq affect her relationships with the brothers? I had no idea where the plot was going next or how it would conclude as it had so many twists and turns. I will not reveal any more as further revelations will spoil the plot. Suffice to say that as usual this is no tame boy meets girl romance. Eve’s larger than life characters deal with big issues, many of them topical in today’s society.

The three central characters, Bridie, Cody and Scott are fantastically well drawn. Bridie is hard working and devoted to her family, who are from the Hood, in contrast with Scott and Cody, who have middle class origins. This dichotomy makes for some hilarious scenes when the two families meet throughout the novel. Bridie is shocked when she realises that Cody and Scott are brothers and I really felt for her as she tries to do her best in an increasingly impossible and complex situation. Bridie likes to be in control, but she is anything but as the plot unfolds.

The brothers are so different to each other. Cody is the archetypal loveable bad boy who up until now likes to play the field and have a good time. He is attracted to Bridie big time, as she is like no girl he has ever met before, and has a lot of growing up to do in the course of the novel which spans five years plus. Scott is a much more responsible individual and is equally attracted to Bridie. He is very protective of her and wants to do right by her. Both brothers want Bridie for themselves, which provides the main tension in the plot.

There is a great supporting cast, the main ones being Scott and Cody’s parents, in particular their socialite mother, Stephanie and their sister Jenna and Bridie’s family, a collection of loveable and kooky individuals, who, as Bridie was, were all adopted. These characters all add depth to the plot and help drive it forward. The fact that the tale is told in chapters which alternate between Bridie and Cody’s POV also adds a lot more intensity to the novel. There are many love making scenes, some humorous, some passionate and sexy and others poignant.

I recommend My Brother My Rival to adult readers who like to read intense, sexy and entertaining contemporary romance/chick lit novels which examine the full range of human emotions.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of this book was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review.

http://everabi.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/eve.rabi

Book 1 of My Brother, My Rival is currently avaiable at a special price on Amazon, 77p in the UK and $1.20 in the US.

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Eve Rabi’s book You Will Pay for Leaving Me is currently available FREE on Amazon.

Amazon UK

Amazon US

September 20, 2013 by Tina Williams

Update from Tina

From Contemporary and Historical Romance to Fantasy and Psychological Thriller/Horrors

The summer holidays are over and it is back to school for many children and back to normality – or what passes for it! My youngest has just started school full time so last week was a big week for us all as we waited to see whether she would settle in or not. So far so good, we’ve had no tantrums – at least from me anyway! I am a little sad to see the summer end as I do like it hot and prefer the flexibility and freedom of summer clothes over winter woollies. There is always some domestic tension this time of the year as I try to turn the heating on and hubby tells me to put a jumper on! I love the harvest time however and I have been busy picking the fruit and veg from our garden and filling our freezer with apple puree, green beans, pea soup and courgette and tomato pasta sauce to enjoy throughout the coming months.

Read on for a summary of our recent reads and those that we have planned for the next few weeks.

Recent Reads – Tina

During the last few weeks I have reviewed some fantastic reads – click on the book title for the review. Also don’t forget to enter our current giveaway of a digital copy of Bloodroom and The Bad Death, donated by the author Naima Haviland. Simply enter your name in the comments section on our review of The Bad Death. One lucky reader will win the prize!

The Bad Death, by Naima Haviland – A Gothic Masterpiece of Dark Romance, Horror and Suspense . Part of the author’s’s vampire trilogy and prequel/sequel to Bloodroom, reviewed on the blog last year (click title for review). Here the vampire myth with African Gullah legends to create a dark and gripping narrative. In The Bad Death, a mysterious African beauty emerges from the family crypt of Julian Mouret. This woman enthralls this handsome slave plantation owner with an outlandish tale of peril and flight. Fearing for her sanity, he determines to keep Anika (or Annie as she is known) safe as a series of horrifying mutilation murders ensues, indicating to the slaves the presence of “plat-eyes”—shape-shifting blood-sucking supernatural creatures. Anika becomes empowered to end the rampage, but at stake is not only her own life but the soul of the man she is coming to love.

The Antique Love, by Helena Fairfax – A sweet contemporary romance, where the hero Kurt, a financial high flyer who hails from Wyoming, does not believe in love and passion, seeing how devastated others can be when such emotions burn themselves out. Instead he is convinced that he can select a wife based on rationality and logic alone. However, he finds that Cupid has other ideas when he asks Penny, who runs an antique shop in London to furnish his new home adjacent to Richmond Park. Penny is an incurable romantic and has her own past hurts to deal with. Will Kurt succumb to the power of love and will Penny believe that she can be anything more than a kid sister to Kurt?

Wolfkeeper’s Woman, by Lisa Day – A passionate and heart rending romance between homesteader Cassie and Wolfkeeper, a native American warrior whose raiding party killed her husband and who has gifted her baby to his brother and sister- in-law. Can Cassie survive being held captive by a people so very different to her own? Will she free her son and escape? And what of her growing feelings towards Wolfkeeper as he demands control over her body?

Coming Reads

My Brother My Rival (Books 1 and 2), by Eve Rabi – A modern day romance where two brothers unknowingly meet and fall for the same girl, who is also at first unaware that they are related. The characters of the brothers are like chalk and cheese – one is a ladies man, looking for a quick fling and the other for a more permanent relationship. However, what happens when they both decide they want to play for keeps? Who deserves the girl and who will she choose? This is an Eve Rabi book and therefore promises to be no simple love triangle. I have my tissues at the ready for another of her trademark emotional rides where I expect to laugh one minute and cty the next.

To Steal a Highlander’s Heart, by Samantha Holt – I am a huge fan of Samantha Holt’s sensual medieval romances. This title, release date 30th September, which is set in the Highlands, also has a paranormal element. In it Alana meets Morgann for the first time in years and he captures her, reigniting the rift and the threat of war that’s existed between the two clans since her father accused Morgann of theft. Unfortunately for Alana, the faeries seek to interfere with her plans to escape and endeavour to ensure a union between the couple. Morgann has his own reasons for taking Alana and they are nothing to do with marriage or war. If only he didn’t find his childhood friend so attractive. When circumstances force them together, Alana’s life is threatened and war is imminent. Can Morgann reveal the truth without losing Alana? And will the faeries meddling help or hinder his cause?(

Gem of Gravane, by Amber Dane – I have read many positive reviews of this author’s work and am looking forward to this medieval romance where, Alric, a loyal knight and a reluctant bridegroom is gifted both lands and a lady by his lord and King William. He comes to claim his prize of the lady and her manor a year after he has been gifted it. Annabelle can only hope that the coming union will improve the lot of her people, who have suffered in recent years, for the reaction of the knight on seeing her for the first time shows his displeasure. Treachery awaits the couple as they struggle to adjust to married life and learn to trust each other with their secrets and open their hearts to love.

Bella’s Betrothal, by Anne Stenhouse – Release date 20th September 2013: While travelling north to find sanctuary from the gossip of the Ton, Lady Isabella Wormsley’s room at an inn is invaded by handsome Scottish Laird, Charles Lindsay. Charles has uncovered a plot to kidnap her, but Bella wonders if he isn’t a more dangerous threat, at least to her heart, than the villainous Graham Direlton he wrests her from. Bella hopes the delivery of her young cousin’s baby will eventually demonstrate her own innocence in the scandal that drove her from home. However, Bella’s presence disrupts the lives of everyone connected to her. Mayhem, murder and family secrets also enter the fray. Will the growing but unacknowledged love between Bella and her Scottish architect survive the evil Direlton engineers?

Meanwhile, Caroline returned to the blog from her hols and settling back into her normal routine with her long awaited review for Brooke Morris’ debut fantasy, The Pull (The Nademi Series #1).

the-pull_1 The Pull is a young adult fantasy following the main character, Maggie, who discovers that she is half faerie and half demon whose mother escaped from the Old World and into the New. Maggie is at her happiest when hiking and enjoying the forests and yet, in her dreams, she slowly watches forests dry up and wither away. But as she finds out more about who she is will she be able to save her Old World from dying? Whilst in the meantime she discovers that as a half-breed she was meant to be destroyed as her kind (half-breeds) are feared by others including faeries, demons, umbrokers, witches, dwarves and men!

After sorting through e-mails and review requests Caroline has been adding to her ever-growing ‘to read’ list and will be writing a post within the next week or so to provide an incite into some of the requests we have been sent and some of the books that she is excited to read.

Also, within the next week Caroline is hoping to post her review of John Podgursky’s psychological thriller/horror, The One Percenters. After a man’s wife is murdered he becomes a one percenter, where he decides on who can carry on the human race and eliminates those he believes are weak, ensuring that they do not breed. But will he be able to keep to these rules? Find out more later this week when the review is posted.

Following The One Percenters, Caroline will begin to read the young adult paranormal, Flick, by Keira Des Anges. Please click on the link for more information/synopsis at Amazon.com.

Last but not least, we are interested in hearing your views as authors and readers into the Man Booker Prize rule changes. Will allowing in authors globally mean that many authors will be ignored or pushed aside, or will it allow for more fiction and choice, opening up for all? Please feel free to comment below!

Happy reading!

Tina and Caroline 🙂